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When did you realize you were really in labor?
About 10pm after I had tried relaxing and drinking water and the contractions had slowly gone from 7-8 min apart to 3-5 min, and slowly getting stronger.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
Knowing the pain ahead of me as the contractions got stronger, and not knowing if it would be as fast as my first born. Also really focusing through each contraction towards the end when they were so intense and I didn't have a break in between.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Re-read some of my Bradley method books and stretching. Reading other people's natural birthing stories was also extremely helpful. It was very encouraging and kept reminding me of why it was so important to me to do it naturally.
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What surprised you about your birth?
It was very very similar to my first birth. From how long it lastest, to how long each phase was, and even how quickly she was born once the contractions got so unbearable. I even pushed two times just like my first birth. The most surprising thing was that my water didn't break (I kept waiting for it to break thinking I would have a huge urge to push once that happened), and she was born in the amniotic sac.
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It was surreal and so amazing. I will never forget her warm little body and just staring at this beautiful baby. Everything really does fade away in the moment and you can't even remember any of the immense pain you just went through.
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Early on in labor, walking/moving around during contractions, praying through each contraction, and really focusing on breathing, especially towards the end.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On my side laying in bed.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
It was surreal and so amazing. My first son was born at 34 weeks and rushed to the nicu so this was the first time I got to hold my baby right after birth. I will never forget her warm little body and just staring at this beautiful baby. Everything really does fade away in the moment and you can't even remember any of the immense pain you just went through.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Anyone really can do it. Make sure you have it made up in your mind that this is the only option (pain mess aren't an option - helps to have your husband hold you to this throughout). Really educate yourself on the birthing process - knowing what was going on with my body at each phase any why things were happening really helped. If you are delivering in a hospital, having a nurse who has done natural births helps as well as she can help you husband and jump in for encouragement when needed.